Twa Birds

Dipper (Canon EOS 250D, EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, 1/1000 sect at f/5.6, ISO 3200, handheld)

These two images are the result of a quick visit to Loch Achaidh na h-Inich on my way home from the shop this afternoon.  I usually maintain a list of all the bird species I have seen each year, starting afresh in January, so I wanted to add Goldeneye to my list as they don't breed here but are regular winter visitors to the loch.  On my way along the shore road I spotted this little dipper diving in the water at the edge of the loch.  I managed to stop, wind down the window and get the camera from the back seat without it flying off.  I grabbed a few shots before another car came along and disturbed things, this being the best shot.  I love these little birds with their constant dipping motion that gives them their name.

I drove along to the end of the track and turned to head back and captured the following shot of a male Goldeneye on the loch.  It was a bit of a distance away, but with the long lens I managed to get a decent, and resonably sharp image, probably my best Goldeneye shot yet.

Male Goldeneye (Canon EOS 250D, EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, 1/1000 sect at f/8, ISO 3200, handheld)